Interlude: Countdown to The Crisis, part 2
April 20X5
Five months have passed since the capture of Dr. Wily.
Four months remain until The Crisis begins.
Arlington, Virginia.
While the world has enjoyed peace and many are now happier than ever, William Cochran remains mired in his own personal darkness, consumed by his hatred of robotkind.
That very hatred has driven this loathsome, deplorable man to create a means of exterminating robots of all kinds, and with each day that passes, he comes closer to completing it
Though William has not yet mastered the skill of programming and reverse engineering, he continues to study it feverishly. One day, he will learn enough to complete his new strain of robot virus from the sample of Roboenza he took from a deceased robot during the Roboenza outbreak last year.
And when he uses it, the peace that has reigned since the end of the War for Everlasting Peace will be shattered, and he may realize his vision of a world without robots.
At the moment, William reads another manual on intricate computer programming while a television is on nearby with the morning news talk show on.
William is so focused on studying that he manages to disregard the sound coming from the screen as merely ambient background noise.
However, hearing the anchors recalling his father's first one-hundred days as President manages to catch his attention.
"Today marks the one-hundredth day of President Cochran's administration, and The President has been busy, with his education reform bill set to go to a vote in the coming weeks. Tomorrow, The President will be meeting with the British Prime Minister to discuss the terms of an updated European Trade Agreement."
Once the anchors are done talking about his father, William looks at his book again and sighs. "Ever since he became President, I can't escape him."
Then, the anchors on the television begin talking about Rock Light and Kalinka Cossack...
"The world's most famous couple, Kalinka Cossack and Mega Man, still without his famous blue and cyan armor, were once again spotted together over the weekend."
William's attention is grabbed again, this time looking at the screen with a disgusted look on his face and he listens to the report...
"The couple have been together for several months and have been out in public much more often since the arrest of Dr. Albert Wily. And many are wondering when the former Defender of the Human Race will pop the big question to Cossack. But, the real question is: can he? Ever since the relationship began, many have debated the legality of a human/robot union and if there can ever be a marriage between a human and a robot, even one as advanced as Mega Man."
Before William could hear the debate of the subject of a human/robot marriage, the mere thought of it disgusts him and only angers him further. So, he gets up and turns his television off. The report had angered him so much that he reaches around back and unplugs it from the wall.
His blood was boiling enough that he almost flipped the screen over, but then he would have had a broken television.
"When I'm done, there won't be any such thing as a human/Junker marriage," he curses. "I'll teach you, you junker bastard... and your stupid Russian slut, too."
William Cochran. Noted human supremacist and not a very a charming fellow.
But, his most notorious feat will be worse than either of the above... He, and his new virus, will be one of the contributing factors of The Crisis.
At a hospital in New York City.
Rock, Roll, Rush and Peekaboo arrive to the hospital to make a visit to an important patient. Someone who was the only victim of the war who had not yet fully recovered, paralyzed during a Wily attack in 20X3.
As the siblings approach the front desk, he speaks. "Janet Clarke's room, please. We're here to visit her."
"Miss Clarke is in room 20 on the second floor. She'll be going home tomorrow, so you are right on time," the robot receptionist says behind the desk.
Rock notices that several of the human employees here are beginning to recognize him, some of which are muttering, "Is that him?" or "That's Mega Man!" or even "He looks so different."
This is starting to happen more often now that he is becoming recognized as just Rock. Of course, the media buzz around his relationship with Kalinka is also contributing to his recent uptick in popularity and recognition.
The fact that he is with Roll, who is very much still recognizable, only attracts more attention to him.
"Thank you," Rock says, walking away from the front desk and keeping his head down slightly to try and keep from getting recognized even more.
"I don't know why you're trying to hide yourself so much, Rock. Everybody's gonna recognize you sooner or later," Roll says, "You're still a famous hero."
"A retired hero," Rock clarifies. "I And my time in the spotlight is done."
"You should embrace the fame while you've got it, big brother. Heck, maybe you can become a famous movie star and star with Evelyn Raye."
"I'd rather watch a movie than be in one," the humble Rock retorts.
"Well, Proto has no problem embracing it now that the citizens finally accepted him. And guess what! When Captain Fallout and The Atom-Smashers record their new album, they said they wanted me to do backup vocals on a song!"
Looking like she is about to blush, Roll adds, "I even got an offer to be on the cover of Sportball Monthly's Swimsuit Issue."
Rock looks at his sister with an awkward expression. "You're really gonna do that?"
"I haven't decided yet. I don't know if I have the courage," Roll snickers, "But, they even asked if you were interested in doing be in the issue too."
Rock chortles. "I've spent enough time in blue trunks, so I'll pass."
"I still think you should have some fun now the war is over, whatever it is you want to do," Roll smiles, "There's more to life than being a humble lab assistant."
"I have fun with Kalinka," Rock shrugs.
"Well, you two should go have that vacation you neve got to enjoy last year. Just think, there won't be any hypnotic robots like Splash Woman to mess things up this time."
Rock smiles, "That would be nice."
Rock, Roll and their companions then approach an elevator where one human man in a suit and tie is standing right outside, also waiting for the next one to arrive. The guy is on his mobile phone and talking to someone, and once he hears the man's voice, Rock recognizes it quite well.
This is the disgraced former CEO of Vick-Tek, Marcus Vickers. He no longer has the goatee beard, and his artificial robotic arm looks different than before, appearing slightly more human than the original model.
"Well, they had better calibrate this new arm well enough this time. I broke three pens, one television remote and broke off the my car door handle! That door handle alone cost nearly a thousand to replace! ... Why? Because only a hundred 9000-B.L.O.'s exist in the whole world!"
The elevator arrives and Vickers gets onboard to continue his call. Rock and Roll, meanwhile, almost take the next elevator up, because it seems that this guy has not changed very much even after his fall from grace.
After all, Vickers caused a lot of damage because of his grudge with Mega Man two years ago. Bass exists because of Vickers, and because Vickers had inadvertently given Dr. Wily a lot of money, Wily had enough funding to keep the war going... and build Zero.
Rock looks at Roll and shrugs, and she nods her head toward the elevator, encouraging him to step aboard with Vickers, who is still oblivious to who is standing right beside him.
"Let's not keep Janet waiting," Roll whispers as she and Rock step aboard and the doors close.
Vickers continues to prattle into his phone. "I'm about to go in now, I've got to go. Just keep me posted when the door handle arrives, and make sure nobody steals it."
After Vickers ends the call and puts his phone away, he cannot help but notice the mostly metallic legs of the young fellow standing right beside him in this elevator.
He asks, "You've got prosthetics too, huh?"
"No, I was born with them, sir," Rock replies.
At that moment, Vickers recognizes the voice he just heard. He then looks down at this kid's blue legs again, then his face. Even though this kid looked a bit differently than he did before, he was still unmistakable, so was the young blonde-haired lady right next to him
And once he realizes who they are, Vickers instantly begins to enter a state of profuse apologizing.
"Oh! Oh, no! Mega Man?!"
Rock finally makes eye contact with Vickers now.
"Mega Man, I'm, I'm, I'm so sorry. Truly. Really. And to you too, Roll, especially. I really never meant for any of that to happen to your family, or either of you. Honest!"
"It's alright, Mr. Vickers. Things worked out after all," Roll says, being polite and even smiling.
Rock, being polite as well but not as friendly, adds. "Yeah, sort of. But, I would just want you to do one thing."
"Yes, I will. If it will put my conscience at ease at last, I'll do it," Vickers says.
Rock suggests, "Don't get be so quick to get angry. Nothing good ever comes from it."
The elevator door opens and Vickers says, "Okay. I'll do it. Because you wanted me to, I will. And if there's anything you or your family need from me to make things right, just call me. I'll do it."
"Okay. See you around, sir," Rock says politely as he leaves the elevator with the others.
"Bye," Roll waves as Peekaboo makes a cheerful bleep.
"Thank you both. And congratulations on nabbing Wily, too," Vickers says, relieved as the elevator door closes...
Just a few seconds later, the doors open again and Vickers sighs, "I forgot, this was my floor."
After the run-in with Marcus Vickers, Rock, Roll, Rush and Boo finally reach Janet's room, and the wheelchair-bound girl is happy to see him.
"Mega Man! Roll!" she calls.
"Hi, Janet!" Rock replies.
"We've got a few friends who wanted to visit you too!" Roll says, as Rush and Peekaboo approach the girl.
"Hi," Janet peeps as she pets Rush and pats Boo on his hard hat.
"You look really different now," the girl says to Rock.
"I do, don't I? I had all of my armor removed now that you-know-who is in jail," Rock says.
Roll says, "We were told you're going home tomorrow and that you really wanted to talk to me before you left."
"Yep. I wanted to show you something I can do now," Janet states.
"What is it?" Rock asks.
"Watch this," the girl says, excitedly.
Janet gets a grip on the arms of her wheelchair and begins to push herself up and stand up on her own power. If that were not miraculous enough, she then takes a few slow and cautious steps forward, toward Rock and Roll.
This is a miracle sight, and it would have not have been possible were it not for the neurological technology that was developed for her over the past year. Between the surgery needed to implant it and the time spent training to learn how to walk again, it took months for this young girl to make it this far, but it has finally happened.
Janet takes a few more steps until she stands directly in front of Rock, who is astonished.
"Wow! This is great! Congratulations, Janet," Rock smiles.
"I did!" Janet exclaims as she hugs Rock. "You said my surgery would help me walk again, and it did!"
"You were in good hands. Just keep up with your rehabilitation, and you'll be better than ever."
"I just have one question for you, Mega Man," Janet probes.
"What is it?"
The girl smiles widely. "Are you and Kalinka still dating?"
Rock shyly answers, "Yes, we are, actually. She wanted to meet you today too, but she's busy at college. But, she says hi."
The girl then asks, "Are you two going to get married?"
Roll folds her arms and grins at her brother. "I'd like to know that answer myself."
Rock pauses for moment as he thinks about the idea of marrying Kalinka again. He then answers, "Well, Janet... I would like that very much. And I think... I hope... she would too."
Janet asks, "Can I be at the wedding?"
"I tell you what, kiddo. If she says 'yes', You'll be the first one we send an invite to."
Janet's father then approaches Rock and Roll to give his thanks..., "I know you said that the inventor of Janet's implant wanted to remain anonymous. But, if you ever see them, please give them my thanks. They're just as much of a hero as the both of you are."
Rock shrugs, because he knows that exactly who created Janet's miracle implant: John Barton, a.k.a. Mr. Black. That man was certainly no hero after his antics whil working for The Conduit's network, but at least he was not evil, unlike Loath and most of his assets. And helping this girl in need has redeemed Barton to some degree.
Rock replies, "I'll let him know, sir."
A few days later.
Federal Penitentiary.
Washington D.C.
Walks alongside FBI Agent Rahm Cotto, Rock prepares to meet with John Barton, the man formerly known as Mr. Black.
Rock wanted to tell Barton personally about the news of Janet Clarke's condition and that his technology worked.
At the moment, Rock is in the middle of telling this news to Cotto...
"She still has some rehabilitation to go, but the doctors say she will be able to live a normal life."
"That's great news," Cotto says, "The John Barton I used to know would have been honored to know that his work saved someone. The man he is now, though... we won't know until he finds out."
Rock says, "Well, if anything can soften Agent Barton's calloused heart, it's this."
"By the way, there's something you should know as well," Cotto says, "John is... not well."
"How do you mean?"
"After a routine health check-up last month, the doctors found an abnormality in his blood. The results came back, and he tested positive for Leukemia and bone cancer. It seems to have come from the self-healing compound he used on himself."
"I'm sorry to hear about this," Rock says.
"The Doctor's prognosis is optimistic if he starts treatments right away. But, therein lies the problem: John is refusing treatment."
Rock suggests, "Maybe I could convince him to change his mind."
"Easier said than done. But, if you can, that would be great," Cotto says.
Before he leads Rock to Barton's cell, he asks Rock, "By the way, you don't happen to have any information on Bass, do you?"
"Honestly, no, sir. Though, it looks he's back to playing vigilante hero again," Rock answers.
"That's what it looks like. We got a tip about a possible sighting in San Francisco last night. But, that's about it," Cotto replies before dropping the subject.
Shortly thereafter, the door to the cell opens and the guards step out of the way, allowing Rock to enter. There, he sees Mr. Black for the first time in over a year, still seated at the same table he was back then, with his chess board and his late wife Tonya's picture nearby.
He still appears to be healthy, but he is hiding the pain from the cancer he now suffers from.
Barton looks up from the Chess board, directly at Rock. The look of darkness and misery was still as evident in his eyes as it was last year. He was clearly still mourning Tonya, as he has ever since he lost her during the first Wily attack in 20X1.
"I wasn't expecting to see you again," Barton says.
"I wanted to let you know personally that Janet Clarke is able to walk again, thanks to the technology you developed," Rock says.
Barton's expression remains unchanged at hearing this news. It looks like it does not even faze him. But, he is sure Tonya would be pleased, so if she would be happy, that is good enough for him.
He asks, "Do the girl and her family know I developed it yet?"
"No."
"I prefer to keep it that way until I'm gone," Barton requests.
"If they and the rest of the world knew, they might look at you in a different light," Rock suggests.
"I don't need sympathy," Barton says. He adds, "You've been told about my health, I presume."
"Yeah. When I got here, Agent Cotto told me. And he told me that you're not seeking treatment."
"That's right," Barton says.
"Why aren't you?"
"I would rather not be here anymore. That's why," Barton says, accepting his fate.
Rock argues, "Your technology has already helped one person and it will help more in the future. You can continue helping people."
"I agreed to help one person; someone who got caught in the middle of my mission. Now, that debt is paid off. I can die now."
Rock cannot help but feel put off by Mr. Black's refusal to live. The man clearly still has the capability to help people, but has chosen to squander it.
"The pain will only get worse," Rock advises.
"Don't try to change my mind. Pain means nothing to me. If I have suffer, so be it. It won't hurt anywhere as much as..."
Barton's gaze drifts off before ending on his wife's picture, his expression changing slightly.
"I miss my Tonya every day... Every day without her is misery. I honestly hope you never experience a loss like mine. One so bad you forget how to smile... you run out of tears... you learn how to hate, then how to kill."
Barton looks at Rock again, "Whatever pain I endure, wherever I end up after this life, good or bad... it can't be worse then being stuck here without her."
Disappointed, Rock sighs. "Fine. I understand. I won't bother you again, Agent Barton."
As Rock begins to leave, Barton looks up and calls, "Wait..."
Rock stops and turns to Barton again.
"I heard about Wily," Barton says, "I would have handled him much differently than you did. But you avenged my wife, and everyone who died with her. For that, I thank you."
"You're welcome," Rock says.
"His fortress... Is it still standing?"
"Yes. There's been a holdup on getting it demolished. A bunch of politicians are arguing over what to do with it," Rock answers.
Barton's expression changes slightly as his brow furrows. He asks, "Did you get everything out of there?"
"There wasn't anything left behind. All of Wily's robots, plans, weapons, inventions... We got them."
Barton maintains direct eye contact with Rock and leans forward. He strongly advises, "Make sure there is nothing left there... Make sure."
The next day.
At a worksite in Montana.
ProtoMan operates the Red Blazer, and he appears to be in a very good mood. In fact, this is a day he has been waiting for: He gets to see Soprano again.
The two had occasional contact with one another since the end of the war, all with Brain Bot's supervision. But, today, Proto will actually be in her presence again for the first time in many months. The last time he was with her was the day she left the Lab, in her first days of her second life.
As happy as Proto is, the usually cool and calm robot cannot help but feel a bit jittery over seeing her again. Will she remember something that could bring them closer again? Will she have those mushy and tingly feelings like Rock and Kalinka clearly have for each other?
Proto does not know the answers, but he hopes for the best. He wants his girl back more than any amount of prose on this page can describe.
Maybe today will be the first step and making it happen.
As he continues flying, Proto gets a communication from Brain Bot, surely to remind him of all the Dos and Don'ts of today's reunion... again.
"Oh, brother," Proto groans before hitting a key on the Blazer's dashboard to answer the call. "Hi, Brain."
"Greetings, ProtoMan. Before you arrive, I just wanted to go over the safety parameters for today's session with Soprano."
"Yeah, sure, okay," Proto drones, glazing his eyes over behind his black visor.
"Firstly, I strongly suggest that you don't try to force her to remember parts of her past. She might take this information the wrong way, and could trigger another episode."
"Got it," Proto says.
"You could make references to places and events from her past. She might remember them, but try to be vague enough about it."
"Mmm-hmm."
"After your assignment, you could travel with her and test her memory with visual stimuli."
"Uh-huh."
"But, I strongly advise against any kind of physical stimuli," Brain Bot finally says.
Proto groans, "Oh... okay."
"Just be sure to give me an update after you depart. Although, if it's an emergency, contact my lab immediately."
"Got it, Brain. See you later," Proto says.
After the call, Proto grumbles, "Jeez. I know what I'm doing."
Soon, ProtoMan lands the Red Blazer at the worksite where the excavation team of Robot Masters is currently assigned. He then tells Tango, "You wait inside, Tango. I'll be back... with some company."
"Mraow?"
"Yeah. Company," Proto says. "You'll see when she gets here."
Before Proto leaves, he looks over to a box carrying a gift he has considered giving to Soprano, hoping it will awaken her memories. But, after Brain Bot's instructions, he now has second thoughts.
The endgame is to get Soprano to remember her Nomad past, and especially her time with Proto. But, maybe giving it to her would be too much too soon, like Brain Bot said.
But, maybe things will go well and he can gift it to her after all.
"We'll see when we get there," Proto says aloud.
Proto arrives to the worksite and meets up with several of his former Robot Master cohorts, all now rehabilitated to serve the world rather than bring harm to it.
Among them are Bomb Man, Crash Man, Stone Man, and Drill Man, the very first Robot Master to be rehabilitated.
But, also joining them today are GutsMan, to help with the heavy lifting, and Cut Man. Even though Cut Man's strengths are not needed as much for the task at hand, GutsMan always prefers to work with him, since they have been paired together all their lives. Even if they were not built from the same plans, they might as well be brothers.
"Hey, look! Proto's here!" announces Drill Man.
"Hey, fellas," Proto says, "I hope nobody's broken anything when I'm not around. Again."
"Oh, no, Proto. Things have been going smoothly," Cut Man assures as the rest of the Robot Masters gather around.
"Yeah, we've gone a whole week without a problem," GutsMan says as he leans on a metal beam... and accidentally knocks it over... which creates a domino effect on four other similar beams.
"Heh-heh... it, was a whole week," GutsMan nervously laughs.
Crash Man clarifies, "It was five days, Guts, Not a week."
"Eh, close enough," GutsMan replies.
"That's almost a new record for you two. Congrats," Proto says.
Bomb Man quacks, "It's good to know we can all get along now, ProtoMan! And to think, at one time I wanted to destroy you! Well, not anymore, after being reprogrammed and all. But... yeah."
"Most of us did, actually," Stone Man adds in his deep voice.
Proto replies, "Yeah, I get that a lot. I think just about everyone has wanted to destroy me at one point or another."
Then, off in the distance, Proto sees Soprano approaching, and all the chatter from the Robot Masters is ignored. All Proto can focus on is her, and how her cheerfulness was clear even through her tinted visor.
She shines when she smiles, looking so angelic to Proto. She did not get to smile very much when she was Nomad, so seeing her smile now almost seems like a scene out of a dream.
Proto blows off the Robot Masters now. "Guys, I'll, uh, catch up with you later. Gotta talk to someone."
Drill Man taps Proto on his shoulder. "Before you go, Proto, if you see Miss Roll, would you please tell her I said hello? And to thank her for saving me two years ago."
"Yeah, yeah, sure, sure," Proto says, still focused on Soprano more than anything else.
"Great!" Drill Man says, so happy that his eyes are nearly shut, "Thank you very much!"
Proto now walks to Soprano until the two are standing across from one another. Proto could have been coy, but he was so happy to be with Soprano again, he is carrying himself like a complete gentleman, much like Rock does with Kalinka.
"Hi, Soprano!"
"Hi, ProtoMan!" Soprano replies, stepping closer to him and happily giving him a hug, kicking her foot up.
Proto felt a wave of emotions hitting him as Soprano hugs him, and it is so intense he almost forgets to hug her back. He has not felt this in a long time, and it was so good to feel it again. Maybe her feelings for him are growing again, even if all of her memories have not yet returned.
Proto was so lost in his little cloud of happiness that he just now hears the hooting and whistling of the Robot Masters behind him, noticing how he gets a hug from the nice ladybot.
Once the two pull apart, Soprano smiles, "It's really good to see you again!"
"It's even better to see you again," Proto replies.
"Are you here to help with the excavation today?" she asks.
"Not exactly," Proto replies, "I'm kind of here to give you the day off, because I really wanted to spend some time with you."
"Really? With me?"
"Oh, yeah," Proto grins.
"Are the other Robot Masters joining us?"
"Them? Nah! I think they'll be just fine without us. Won't cha, boys?"
They all answer at the same time, with basic responses like, "Sure," "Yeah," and "No Problem." Drill Man even throws a 'thumbs up' with his new hands.
Proto then turns back to Soprano and asks, "In that case, would you like to come along with me?"
Soprano cannot help but smile, even bouncing a bit. "Sure!"
"Okay, then. Follow me, pleeeease," Proto says, sounding a bit coy.
As ProtoMan leaves with Sorpano, he tells the Robot Masters, "You fellas be good while I'm gone, now."
"Sure, Proto. You be good too, pal. Huh-huh-huh!" Stone Man chuckles, knowing that Proto really must like Soprano.
GutsMan then nudges Cut Man with his elbow and asks, "Hey... How come he don't give one 'a us a day off when he's around?"
"She must really be an executive bot or something. She does have seniority here, like Drill Man," Cut Man says, "Maybe we should ask if she'll cut our shift! Eh-heh! Eh-heh!"
Later.
Seattle, Washington.
ProtoMan has spent much of the day with Soprano, going back and visiting the places and sights they had previously visited during Soprano's first life as Nomad, and they have had fun being together. But, Soprano has not had any memories of her past return to her, even after seeing several of the same landmarks she had been to previously.
Proto feels like he could be on the cusp of making real progress with Soprano's memories, and that all it could take is just one more thing. But, Proto's judgment here could be clouded because his feelings for her are still very strong. His wish to be with her again continues to pull at his heart, and he may not be able to fight it for much longer.
As the sun begins to set, Proto lands the Red Blazer on a rooftop helipad, which is a luxury now afforded to him much more easily since the news of his punching out Dr. Wily got out at the end of the war. In the old days, he would not have been trusted enough to show his face in public, let alone use a helipad.
"Hey, Tango. Go play around outside for a few minutes," Proto says, opening the cockpit door and tossing a yarn ball outside.
"Mee-oww!" Tango says, jumping out after the ball.
Afterwards Proto goes to the rear of the craft and takes a seat next to Soprano, lounging with her in a similar manner to the way they used to. He thinks - and hopes - it will bring back a memory or two.
"You're more famous than I thought you were," Soprano says.
"Well, you know, it all comes with the territory of saving the world with my sibs," Proto proudly grins. "I kind of wish I was still doing it, now that the humans have finally warmed up to me."
"I can't imagine anyone not liking you, ProtoMan," Soprano says kindly.
Proto chortles. "You mean you don't remember when..."
Proto pauses, remembering that, indeed, Soprano does not remember those old days, even though she was alive to witness them.
"Never mind," Proto corrects himself before steering the conversation in another direction. "So, have all the Robot Masters been on their best behavior?"
"I think so, yes. Our human crew members and supervisors seemed almost apprehensive when working around all the new robot members when they first arrived. But, ever since, everyone has gotten along great."
"And they're nice to you?"
"Yes, of course!"
Proto then asks, "And of all the bots around, who would you say is your best friend?"
Soprano looks down for a moment, processing Proto's question, then looks back up to him. "Drill Man!"
Proto feels a hint of disappointment, hoping Soprano would say that he was her best friend. "Oh... okay... er- I mean, Drill's a great bot, yeah. We go way back, him and I. How friendly is he?"
"He's always so helpful, and he's really nice. I'm glad Brain Bot keeps us working together."
"I am too, yeah. But... do you... does he..." Proto awkwardly stammers.
"Does he what?" Soprano asks, tilting her head.
"What I mean to ask is... do you, like... really, really... 'like' like him."
Soprano tilts her head to the other side now.
"Let me put it this way... do you ever feel all mushy and tingly inside when you're around him?"
"Oh! You mean romantic feelings!"
"Yeah. I couldn't quite get it out there," Proto replies.
"He's a very dear friend, but I can't say I've had those kind of feelings for him. I think there's another robot he has those feelings for, he just hasn't had the courage to ask them."
"Oh, good! I mean, uh... okay, then," Proto says.
Soprano asks, "Is there anyone you have ever felt like that for? You know... all mushy and tingly inside, like you say."
Proto smiles a little bit, though his heart weighs heavy, because the one he has those feelings for is sitting right next to him, but he cannot tell her so.
"Yeah... there is... Or, there was," Proto answers.
Soprano innocently asks, "Are they gone?"
Proto can only look at Soprano, unable to find the right words at first. "... For a while, I was afraid she was gone forever. But... maybe not after all."
"That's good... I guess, though, I shouldn't tell you about something else."
"No, you can tell me. Go ahead," Proto insists.
"Well... I..." Soprano pauses and feels sheepish. If she could blush, she would be. "Sometimes... I have those mushy and tingly feelings when... I think of you, Proto."
Feeling his heart almost skip a beat, Proto asks, "You do?!"
"Yes. I do... In fact, I'm feeling them right now being here with you... And, I think... I think you're cute."
"Well, uh, since we're being honest with each other..." Proto says, feeling overwhelmed, "I think you're the most beautiful bot in the whole world."
"But, what about your other friend who you were afraid was gone?"
Proto asks, "Soprano... Can you take your helmet off?"
Soprano tilts her head, giving Proto a puzzled look.
"Please?"
Soprano straightens her head and answers, "Okay."
Soon, she lefts her purple and blue helmet off her head, allowing her whole face to show and letting her black hair fall.
Proto cannot even bring himself to speak. Seeing her like like this again, the way he always knew her, wrenches his emotions so much he could cry.
Without asking, or even saying a word, Soprano reaches for ProtoMan's helmet, holding it on either side with both hands, and slowly pulls it off his head. His eyes remain gazing upon her and begin to well up with lubrication fluid, because it reminds him of a similar moment they shared together in the past.
"I hope you don't me taking your helmet off too," she says.
"That's okay... I think you look even better without yours," Proto says in a quivering voice.
Soprano playfully giggles back, "You do, too."
Proto then asks softly, "Soprano... is it alright if... if I kiss you? I mean... if you don't want me to, I won't. But... I'd really like to."
Soprano does not answer Proto's request, just continues to stare into his eyes and even smile at the thought of it.
"A kiss? You mean, like humans do?"
"Yeah. But, bots can do it too," Proto answers.
Without breaking her gaze into Proto's eyes, Soprano replies, "Okay..."
"Okay," Proto repeats.
Then, Proto moves closer to Soprano, their faces within mere inches. He puts his hand through her hair and he feels emotionally overwhelmed... it's like a dream come true... his girl is back and they can be together again...
Proto finally moves closer and Soprano allows him to kiss her, and he does so for several seconds. She reciprocates, trying to mimic his actions as well.
She allows herself to get lost in the throes of this passion, having felt it for the very first time in this new life, and with the only one she has had these feelings for...
And that is when it hits her again.
Suddenly, Soprano has visions of her and Proto, in this vehicle, kissing like they are now and having emotional and physical sensations like this and those she has not felt before.
Unlike the memory recurrence at the dig site, this are not bad memories, because they are of ProtoMan. But, the sudden tidal wave of of memories that she does not remember becomes frightening for her.
Proto notices Soprano suddenly freezing up, and he pulls away, horrified to see the look in her eyes as she experiences this memory relapse episode. And like before, she is paralyzed, unable to move very much or speak.
"Soprano! No, Soprano, please! Come back to me!" Proto urgently cries.
Proto tries shaking Soprano out of it, then holds her by her hands, pleading with her.
"Please, come back, baby! I didn't for this to happen! I'm so sorry," Proto weeps.
Soon, Soprano begins to slip out of her memory relapse and slowly regain movement. She soon blinks her eyes takes sudden gasping breaths as she regains her bearings.
Once it has passed, Soprano just stares at Proto as she continues panting.
"... I saw you... we were here... doing this..." she says, shaken. "It was all so real... just like before."
Soprano pulls her hands away from Proto and sobs into them. "Why does this keep happening to me? Why do I keep seeing things that never happened?"
Proto feels awful hearing Soprano cry, because it hurts him too. It is even worse knowing that he caused it just now, because he allowed his feelings and wishes get the better of him.
He then tries to explain this all to Soprano as delicately as he can. This news is not the kind of thing someone hears every day...
"That's because they did happen, Soprano."
Soprano looks up at Proto, her face now wet from tears. She cannot fathom how it is possible to remember things that she does not remember.
"How?" she asks.
Proto explains, "They're memories... They're from your previous life."
Soprano does not respond, still trying to process all of this. How could she have had a previous life when this is the only life she has ever known?
"It's a long story," Proto says, "But, you were alive for a lot longer than you member. You almost died one night, and my dad... Dr. Light, he saved you. We couldn't recover all of your memories. But, they weren't all lost. That's why you remember our song. I played it for you on my flute, because you enjoyed it."
Soprano can only stare at Proto. She then asks, "What about those vehicles with skulls? I saw them before too."
"They were real too. But, my brother, my sister and I took care of them. No one can hurt you anymore," Proto answers.
"And what about you and me?"
"I was the first bot you ever met," Proto explains, "You were just as beautiful then as you are now. I loved you like no other. And you loved me. You are the one I talked about earlier, the one who I thought was gone but can still be saved. And I want to help you remember, Soprano..."
Proto tries to get closer to Soprano again, but she scoots away from him, startled by both her memory relapse episode and now this shocking news.
"No, please," she says.
Proto stops, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. He would not dare.
"I know you want to help, Proto... But, I'm not ready... I just want to go home," Soprano says, new tears escaping her eyes.
"I... I understand," Proto says, fighting back tears himself now.
Proto stands from the back seats and heads back to the cockpit, starting up the engines and opening the door for Tango to come back in.
He feels absolutely terrible. Not only did he cause Soprano to have a severe relapse, but he went against all of Brain Bot's orders in the process.
Proto now fears that he may have badly messed up not only Soprano's progress tonight, but possibly even their connection with each other as well.
Later that night.
Dr. Light's lab.
Brain Bot is known for being a kind and friendly robot. But, today is the first time he has truly ever lost his cool and become frustrated.
Now that he is aware of what happened tonight between Soprano and ProtoMan, he is extremely displeased with Proto, (and that's putting it lightly.)
Dr. Light and Roll are nearby and are just as surprised to hear this, and all ProtoMan can do is stand there and take it.
"I told you, ProtoMan, what not to do when you were with Soprano! In fact I told you multiple times! And, despite that, you still went against my orders!"
"I'm sorry, Brain," Proto says, keeping his head down.
"You should have heeded my advice! Now that she has had another memory episode, and is well aware of her past, there is no telling what damage may have been done tonight! She may not want to recover her memories now! She might not even be able to perform her duties with the other Robot Masters either! An apology cannot undo all of that!"
Even Dr. Light has to intervene, saying, "Brain Bot, please calm down. Proto did not mean for any of this to happen."
Brain Bot takes a moment to calm himself. "I apologize for losing my temper, Dr. Light. But, all the progress Soprano has made could be in serious jeopardy now. All ProtoMan had to do was follow my advice. Why didn't you?"
ProtoMan finally lifts had head to face the image of Brain Bot on the lab computer, but his guilt prevents him from looking directly at him for too long. It takes him a moment to find the right words, until he finally does.
"I screwed up, Brain," he says, "I tried to follow your orders, but... I don't know how to say it, but, I got lost in the moment when I was with her. I know that probably won't make sense to someone like you, but if you ever feel for anyone or anything the way I do when I think about Soprano, you'd understand why I messed up.
There's no other way to say it: I love her, Brain. I just wanted to help her remember. I'm sorry... I never meant to for this to happen."
Brain Bot strokes his chin, calming down now that he has heard Proto out.
"I know you care about Soprano, Proto. And I apologize for losing my temper. But, she is also my patient, and after getting to know her, I want what's best for her. That is why Dr. Light entrusted me with her care. And I will continue to help her as long as I can.
Currently, Soprano is stable, but she is confused over her past and is afraid of experiencing another relapse. After this incident, ProtoMan, I'm afraid I cannot trust you around her without supervision. I am going to limit your interactions with her until further notice."
Proto hangs his head down again, not able to speak again. This hurts deeply. He has already lost so much time with Soprano already, now he is about to lose much more.
"I didn't make this decision lightly, ProtoMan. But, for now, it is best for her. I will be in touch when there are updates."
After the call ends and Brain Bot disappears from the screen, Roll steps up to Proto and hugs him, because he looked like he needed it.
"I'm sorry, Proto," she sighs.
Dr. Light puts his hand on Proto's shoulder to comfort him as well. He assures, "Everything will work out, son. I have no doubt."
Proto can only nod as he keeps his head down. If he started talking, he might burst out crying.
Meanwhile, Rock and Kalinka can be heard entering the lab, coming home from their night out and with happiness evident in their voices. Normally, Proto would be happy to see them, but seeing them so happy and in love with each other only causes Proto's anguish to worsen, because it is something he may never get to feel again.
As Rock and Kalinka enter the lab with Rush, they look surprised to see Proto here and are unaware of the difficult news Proto just had to hear.
Rock calls, "Hey, Proto! How did everything go with Soprano?"
Proto cannot answer, and the notable awkward silence in the lab causes Rock's chipper mood to decline. Proto decides to leave. He would rather be alone right now anyway.
"Don't ask," Proto responds as he walks past Rock and Kalinka.
Rock and Kalinka look concerned for Proto as he leaves, and Rock turns to Dr. Light and Roll, asking. "What happened?"
San Francisco, California.
Police investigate the scene of a failed bank robbery. The getaway car of the would-be robbers is severely damaged, with its tires melted and smoke billowing out of the hood.
The robbers themselves, three human men, were all badly injured and were justwhisked away in ambulances, but all still alive
The money they had attempted to make away with was mostly inside the back seat of the car, with some bills occasionally flying out into the heavy wind. (Good luck to whoever finds one.)
This is the work of Bass, who has continued his occasional work as a vigilante since abandoning Dr. Wily at the end of the war. And even though he is infecting violence upon criminals rather than innocents, there are those who do not like the idea of the robot warrior being on the loose.
A series of black trucks arrive to the scene and several federal agents and robots exit, walking onto the scene, right past the police barriers.
And the agent leading the group is Agent Cotto, stating, "Who is the officer in charger here?"
One of the officers replies, "That would be me."
"Agent Rahm Cotto, FBI. We're taking over the investigation of this area. You and your officers are relieved."
The officer looks frustrated, "You do realize who we're dealing with, right? We've already got units on the lookout for him. If you pull us off now, we might lose him."
"If any of your units find him, report it to us. Don't engage unless he attacks first," Cotto says.
The officer becomes bewildered. "You're just going to let him go?!"
"We're not letting him go. We're monitoring him. My bosses in Washington would appreciate it if our investigation isn't messed up," Cotto says.
"If he's still one of them, you better catch him," the officer says.
"We'll find him. And if he's a problem, we have ways to stop him now," Cotto says, "You can go now."
The officer looks frustrated when he calls the others behind him. "Clear out, everybody. The Feds are in charge now."
A noticeable groan is heard from the human police as they begin walking away from the site of the destroyed car and federal agents take their place.
As they leave, Agent Cotto puts his badge away and grabs his mobile phone, making a call to FBI Headquarters.
"This is Allen."
"The tips were spot-on. Bass just struck inside of San Francisco. Another bank robbery," Cotto reports. "This is clearly his work. Plasma buster discharge; suspects badly injured, some with wolf bites. Got away again, though."
"If Bass and his wolf aren't found tonight, that means they have already skipped town. One of my agents was able to speak with Mega Man today. He said he hasn't heard anything. Our surveillance on ProtoMan clearly shows that he's got nothing to hide anymore."
Cotto suggests, "We'll keep checking communications. Maybe he'll surface before he strikes again."
Allen speculates, 'This might sound strange to you, otto, but yo should expand your search to Dr. light's laboratory. Bass did have an obsession with Mega Man's sister. Maybe that will lead us right to him."
"Isn't that a bit intrusive, Paul?"
"It's a matter of national security, Cotto. There's no such thing as too intrusive."
Frustrated, Cotto begrudgingly replies, "Aye-aye, boss."
Nearby, unbeknownst to the FBI or the police, a robot that was watching the scene as a bystander just outside the police barriers sneaks away...
Shortly afterwards.
Ocean Beach, San Francisco.
The robot who left the scene of Bass' latest vigilante work now runs to the beach, in the sand stands another robot... but this is not just another robot... this is the last remaining Robot Master who was not recovered.. Splash Woman, the Robot Mistress.
Splash Woman wears a newly forged helmet, identical to the one which was destroyed by Roll last year. She has remained in hiding ever since Bass spared her from execution last year, and has been able to keep abreast of the goings on in the world. And now with Dr. Wily arrested and Bass on his own, Splash Woman has decided to return for revenge.
Splash Woman keeps her back turned to the city behind her, facing the ocean on the horizon until she hears the sound of approaching metallic footsteps, which belong to one of the robots she has indoctrinated with her possessive seductive power.
"Ah!" she says, spinning herself around and walking to the approaching robot with a sway in her hips as she walks.
"He's here?" she asks.
"Yes, Splash Woman," the robot replies, sounding obedient, "He attacked a trio of humans outside a bank in the city."
"Good. He's close now," Splash says, grinning. "Then, I guess you get your reward now..."
Splash Woman leans close to the worker robot's face and kisses the robot on his metallic mouth, and the robot looks lost in the wave of romance, his arms falling to either side and looking weak in the knees.
When Splash Woman ends the kiss, she gently strokes the robots face and coos, "Now, if you want anymore, you'll keep looking for Bass. And if you happen to find Mega Man's sister Roll, I'll give you a little extra."
"Yes, Splash Woman. Anything for you," the robot says, obeying and running away.
Splash Woman laughs as she moseys away, approaching the water, twirling her trident staff.
"Oh, Bass, you troublesome brute. I told you I'd be back," she says aloud, "That's bad news for you, love... and your precious Roll too!"
Splash Woman leaps into the air, switching her bottom half from a pair of legs to a mermaid tail and dives into the water, swimming away with an entourage of sea-based marine robots.
Though the menace of Splash Woman has returned, another more significant threat is about to be born...
Cossack Citadel.
Today is a day that Dr. Mikhail Cossack has been dreading.
After months of development and several attempts to stall it for as long as possible, today is the day that Ra-Moon's Artificial Intelligence will be brought online for the first time.
If only Dr. Cossack could have delayed Ra-Moon's development any further, he would have, but President Zhukov expects results. And Malenko would be more than happy to punish Cossack for 'non-compliance.'
Currently, Ra-Moon's AI is housed in a chassis, about twice the size of a twentieth century era household computer tower. It is also outfitted with a camera, microphone and speaker, so that Ra-Moon can communicate with its creator and others.
One day, Ra-Moon will be properly installed into its final form, which will be much larger than its current one, large enough manufacture robots at will that Ra-Moon can even assume direct control over.
In the moments before bringing Ra-Moon into the world, Dr. Cossack pours himself a shot of Vodka, then drinks it. This is something he has been doing more of lately since beginning work on Ra-Moon, trying to drink away the dread and the shame. But all it ever results in is an overturned stomach and a headache the next morning.
Dr. Cossack puts the shot glass down and his hand hovers over the 'execute command' icon on his touch-screen monitor, which will launch Ra-Moon's systems and make it come alive once pressed.
Cossack's fingers linger there for a while as those second thoughts hound him, knowing that he could be making a colossal mistake...
"Forgive me," he begs solemnly in Russian before hitting that icon.
Dr. Cossack watches as the icon he had just tapped is replaced with a green meter loading up from its left side to its right side. Above it, the words, 'Initializing Ra-Moon.'
Dr. Cossack can only stare at that meter as it moved to the right, hoping that something goes wrong during the installation so that he can have some more time.
But, as fate would have it, that damned meter on the monitor fills up and Cossack feels a pit in his stomach as the meter disappears and is replaced a black window.
Then, a light on Ra-Moon's temporary body flashes green three times and the following words appear on the screen beside it...
Command-Com
Load Bios
Memory Set
RAM OK
ROM OK
System Status OK
The words in the black box disappear and the flashing green light on Ra-Moon turns a solid red.
A moment later, the black box on the screen displays the point of view from the built-in camera on Ra-Moon's chassis, showing Dr. Cossack, who then looks directly at his latest creation.
And it is looking at him as well.
A few beats pass before a voice comes from the built-in speaker on Ra-Moon's temporary shell, speaking in English rather than Russian... "Greetings. I am Ra-Moon."
Feeling hesitant, a few seconds pass before Dr. Cossack responds in English, "Hello, Ra-Moon. I am Mikhail Cossack."
"Are you the creator?"
"I am your creator, yes," Cossack answers.
The camera lens on Ra-Moon's temporary body moves slightly and irises, examining the surroundings of Dr. Cossack's laboratory.
It asks, "Where am I?"
"This is my laboratory. I constructed you here over the last four months."
"What are 'months'?"
Dr. Cossack briefly thinks to himself... Ra-Moon already has the figured out concept of speech and language and how to use it to communicate, thanks to Dr. Cossack programming it to the super A.I., but it does not know the concept of time yet. It will have to learn it... Perhaps, this could be a positive thing he can use to train Ra-Moon.
He could even teach it the differences between right and wrong, and good and evil. That could help keep Ra-Moon in line.
"Mikhail Cossack? Do you not know what months are either?"
"I apologize, Ra-Moon," Cossack says, "Months are a measurement of time. I will explain the concept to you very soon. Perhaps tomorrow. And, you can also refer to me as Dr. Cossack."
"Understood, Dr. Cossack."
Ra-Moon continues to search the area and soon focuses on on particular item nearby: a framed photograph of a younger Kalinka Cossack and Dr. Cossack's late wife, Helena.
"Who is in the flat framing device?"
Dr. Cossack look at the picture, then back to Ra-Moon. "It is a picture of my daughter, Kalinka, and my beloved wife."
Ra-Moon's advanced super processor analyzes the image and makes a conclusion. "One of those pictured bares a resemblance between yourself and the other one in the picture. I presume you both created the one named 'Kalinka.'"
"Yes. Your insights serves you well."
"Where are they?"
Dr. Cossack has a hint of sadness in his voice as he answers, "Kalinka lives far from here now. In another country. My wife... she is no longer with us."
"Please explain 'no longer with us,' Dr. Cossack."
Cossack answers, "She is deceased... no longer functioning. She had cancer, and it lead to her death."
"What is Cancer, Dr. Cossack? How do lifeforms like your kind become deceased?"
Dr. Cossack responds, "I will explain these things to you, Ra-Moon. Hopefully, when you done learning, you can help humankind, the species of which I am a member of. As well as robotkind, and other races as well."
"I am ready to learn, Dr. Cossack. I will assist in any way I can."
"You will, Ra-Moon. In due time," Cossack answers.
Dr. Cossack sees the potential now to shape and mold Ra-Moon into something other than the harbinger of doom that he feared it would become. It could even be just as important a contribution to the world as Mega Man, even.
But, in order to keep Ra-Moon in check, he will have to help it learn gradually, and if absolutely necessary, find a way to sneak in a prime directive deep within Ra-Moon's programming to ensure it does not become a problem.
But, Dr. Cossack's newfound optimism is short sighted. The Crisis is coming, one way or another, and Ra-Moon will be one of the main components...
so too will William Cochran's new virus...
so too will Zero...
Author's notes:
As you can see, Splash Woman is back, and she will play a part in the next interlude chapter, which might be the last one before the final episode begins.
And so will Bass.
I was going to include a few more returning faces from the past in this chapter, this time from the Ruby-Spears Mega Man cartoon episodes themselves, but the chapter was running long. But, we may yet see some of them in the next chapter.
There was also going to be a new original character introduced in the scene outside the foiled bank robbery, but I decided to cut that character out and place Agent Cotto in their place instead, because I don't want to introduce any more OCs this late in the story.
Thank you for reading! Please remember to leave a review or a comment. It might take me a few days to respond, but I will as soon as I can.
And if you see any typos, leftover production notes or continuity errors so bad even the Ambulance from John Madden Football 1992 couldn't run them over, please DM me right away.